Barber gave the letter to investigators, who sent it to the FBI for analysis. But they couldn’t find a link to Ridgway and the local task force also shied away from its significance.

Also in 2003, Ridgway admitted to investigators he’d written and sent the letter. He then went through each comment and explained what they meant.

Ridgway (P-I file)

As the P-I reported in 2003, Ridgway’s letter contains “myriad references to the killings and a number of falsehoods,” the court documents say. It mentions real evidence such as fingernails being cut off some victims and necrophilia.

The letter also includes what is now known to be false evidence planted at crime scenes to confuse investigators.

“I’ve never considered the letter a trophy. Even now,” Barber wrote. “It’s a very sad thing.”